A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is the legitimate presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the upcoming January 16, 2027, elections. This decision, delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, comes after the court found that the party had violated the Electoral Act 2026 in its conduct of the May 30 presidential primary.

The court's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Olawepo-Hashim, who claimed that the Accord Party failed to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after he was declared the winner of the primary. The judge determined that the party had indeed accepted N50 million from Olawepo-Hashim for nomination forms, contradicting their assertion that no valid primary had taken place.

Justice Umar emphasized that the evidence presented during the proceedings contradicted the party's claims. He dismissed the argument that the primary had been cancelled, stating that the evidence, including the financial transaction for nomination forms, indicated otherwise. The court ordered the Accord Party to forward Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC, ensuring his recognition as the official candidate.

The ruling also addressed the validity of documents that the Accord Party and INEC had relied upon. Olawepo-Hashim's counsel, Henry Akunebu, SAN, challenged the legitimacy of a letter that purportedly notified INEC of the primary's cancellation, arguing that it lacked the party's official stamp and was improperly addressed. Justice Umar agreed, calling the party's positions contradictory and not credible under the law.

Throughout the court proceedings, the Accord Party maintained that the primary was cancelled, with their lawyer, T.W. Olusesi, asserting that Olawepo-Hashim was not a valid candidate. INEC's representative, D.J. Gusen, supported this view, stating that the commission did not monitor the primary due to the cancellation notice it had received. However, the court rejected these claims and upheld the legitimacy of the May 30 primary.

The ruling now paves the way for Olawepo-Hashim's candidacy to be formally recognized in the electoral process, although the Accord Party retains the option to appeal the decision. This judgment marks a significant moment in the lead-up to the presidential elections, as it clarifies the party's candidate and reinforces the importance of adhering to electoral regulations.